Canon EOS R vs Canon EOS M

This is a full comparison between the cameras Canon EOS R and Canon EOS M. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Canon.

Canon EOS R were released 2018 and Canon EOS M was released 2012. That is a 6 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Canon EOS R 2018
Canon EOS M 2012

Type of camera

Both these cameras are Mirrorless cameras. No difference there.

Sensors / crop factor

These cameras have different sensors. Canon EOS R has a "Canon Full Frame"-sensor while Canon EOS M has a "Canon APS-C"-sensor, and their difference in sensors will also affect the crop factor and experience focal length. See the table below.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Canon EOS R 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Canon EOS M 80 mm
Canon APS-C sensor
Crop factor/focal length multiplier by * 1.6

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Canon)

Resolution

Canon EOS R has a 30 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Canon EOS M has 18 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Canon EOS R 30 MP
30105600 pixels
6720 x 4480
Canon EOS M 18 MP
17915904 pixels
5184 x 3456

Canon EOS R has a 68 % larger resolution than Canon EOS M. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Canon EOS R has a larger ISO-range than Canon EOS M. Canon EOS R has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 40000 while Canon EOS M has 100 to 12800.

Camera ISO Range
Canon EOS R 100-40000
Canon EOS M 100-12800

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Worth mentioning is that Canon EOS R belongs to the Canon EOS R-system and needs an adapter to work with Canons EF, EF-S, MP-E, and TS-E lenses. You can read more about this adapter here:
Canon Lens Mount Adapter EF-EOS R

Worth mentioning is that Canon EOS M belongs to the Canon EOS M-system and needs an adapter to work with Canons EF, EF-S, MP-E, and TS-E lenses. You can read more about this adapter here:
Canon Lens Mount Adapter EF-EOS M

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS R
Lens compatibility chart for Canon EOS M

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Canon EOS R can shoot up to 8 pictures per seconds and Canon EOS M can shoot up to 4,3 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Canon EOS R 8
Canon EOS M 4,3

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

In this case, both Canon EOS R and Canon EOS M can shoot movies.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Canon EOS R weighs 660 gr (equal to 1.46 lb) which is 121% heavier than Canon EOS M and its 298 gr (or 0.66 lb).

Camera Weight
Canon EOS R 660 gr
1.46 lb
Canon EOS M 298 gr
0.66 lb

Canon EOS R vs Canon EOS M Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Canon EOS R and Canon EOS M, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Canon EOS R
Canon EOS M
Name Canon EOS R Canon EOS M
Manufacturer Canon Canon
Release Date and Price
Canon EOS R
Canon EOS M
Release Year 2018 2012
Release Date 2018-09-05 2012-07-23
MSRP 2299 USD 799 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Canon EOS R
Canon EOS M
Camera Type Mirrorless Mirrorless
Sensor
Canon EOS R
Canon EOS M
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) APS-C (approx 22.3 x 14.9 mm)
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 6720 x 4480 pixels 5184 x 3456 pixels
Megapixels 30 MP 18 MP
Image Processor DIGIC 8 DIGIC 5
Image
Canon EOS R
Canon EOS M
ISO Range 100 - 40000 100 - 12800
White Balance Presets 6 6
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No No
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 0 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Canon EOS R
Canon EOS M
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Selective Single Point
Single
Continuous
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 5655 31
Lens Mount Canon RF

See Compatible Lenses
Canon EF-M

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier Full frame
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 mm
APS-C Sensor
1.6x multiplier
Example:
24 mm becomes 38 mm
50 mm becomes 80 mm
100 mm becomes 160 mm
200 mm becomes 320 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Canon EOS R
Canon EOS M
Articulated LCD Fully articulated Fixed
Screen size 3.2” 3”
Screen dots 2100000 1040000
Touch screen Yes Yes
Screen type TFT LCD Clear View II TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Electronic No Viewfinder
Viewfinder Coverage 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.76×
Viewfinder Resolution 3690000 0
Photography features
Canon EOS R
Canon EOS M
Frames per second 8 fps 4,3 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 30 seconds 60 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Built-in Flash No No
Built-in Flash Range N/A N/A
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse No No
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Partial
Multi
Center Weighted
Spot
Partial
Exposure Compensation +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) +/- 3 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Canon EOS R
Canon EOS M
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution 1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
1280 x 720
1920 x 1080
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes Yes
Storage
Canon EOS R
Canon EOS M
Memory Card SD/SDHC
SD/SDHC
Connectivity
Canon EOS R
Canon EOS M
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes No
Headphone Port Yes No
Wireless Yes
Built-in (802.11b/g/n + Bluetooth 4.1 LE)
Yes
Eye-Fi Connected
Remote Control Yes (via smartphone) No
GPS No Yes
Optional via GP-E2
Body & Dimensions
Canon EOS R
Canon EOS M
Enviromentally sealed Yes No
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details LP-E6N lithium-ion battery & charger
Lithium-Ion LP-E12 rechargeable battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 370 shots 230 shots
Width 136 mm 109 mm
Height 98 mm 66 mm
Depth 84 mm 32 mm
Weight 660 gram 298 gram